If there were two words we'd pick to describe Kit Hinrichs, one would definitely be artist—the talented graphic designer has over 40 years of acclaimed work under his belt—and the other would certainly be storyteller—his melodic inflection and hearty laugh transform even the simplest tale into one worth telling. The aptly-titled show "A Storyteller's Art," closing Sunday, May 3 at Art Center's Williamson Gallery, attempts to encapsulate the career of the artful storyteller and Art Center alumnus (he graduated with an advertising degree in 1956).
Over 200 pieces are featured in the exhibition, including the editorial design of the design and business magazine @issue (which sadly just switched from a print publication to all-online). His clients run the cultural and corporate gamut: Design Within Reach, Restoration Hardware, USC, Musak, The California Academy of Sciences, Napa Style, the Experience Music Project and even the Boudin Sourdough Bakery Museum (we didn't even know there was such a magical place!).
Since 1986, Hinrichs has been a San Francisco partner of the legendary firm Pentagram, where he's designed the firm's annual typography calendar as well as the recent book The Pentagram Papers, a massive compilation of the Pentagram Papers, 36 tiny, somewhat "secret" publications sent to a select group of the firm's contacts since 1975.
One of those Pentagram Papers was designed by Hinrichs and features an iconic object that's near and dear to his heart: the American flag. His starred-and-striped memorabilia collection is beyond amazing—even his house is draped in them—and he's written and designed an entire book on the topic, as well, Long May She Wave, which is also featured in the show.
We hear Hinrichs will even be in attendance this weekend for the closing events, so be sure to look out for him. He looks just like this:
~Alissa Walker
Did you ever think of Frank Gehry as a "green" architect? Well, nor did he, but that didn't stop him from coming up with some curious energy-saving ideas during his long career. Hear about that and his reactions to criticisms coming his way from a young generation of socially-conscious architects, all on DnA. The show grew out of an interesting debate I had with Architecture For Humanity co-founder Cameron Sinclair on Huffpost just recently -- on the topic of extravagance in architecture and whether it's a good thing that the economic crash has brought an era of architecture for art's sake to a end. Cameron argues that with high-cost, high-profile projects on hold, now is a pivotal moment in architecture, and designers have to choose between "excess" and "relevance," as in, designing for the world's poorest. Today's show features Cameron, whose AFH celebrates its tenth anniversary this month, and Frank Gehry, just turned 80, staking out their views. If you can't get enough of Frank's droll, and often refreshing, insights, do read Conversations With Frank Gehry, a collection of interviews conducted over the last 20 years by Barbara Isenberg. Chris Hawthorne, who maintains a somewhat jaundiced perspective of the patriarch of architecture as art, also reviews the book, here.
First off, you can meet British architect Tony Fretton, the mastermind behind many dramatic domestic designs including the house for artist Anish Kapoor which you see at right. He'll be discussing his work across Europe, from the British Embassy in Warsaw to a museum in Norway. That's sponsored by the LA Forum and being held at MOCA Downtown on Monday, April 13. More details here.
Then the next night you'll likely have to clone yourself to hit two fun events. Tom Marble will be reading from his new book, After the city, this, and Norman Klein will read from his, History of Forgetting, then they'll have a discussion between the two of them about LA and memory at Skylight Books in Los Feliz. That begins at 7:30pm and you can RSVP on Facebook.
And starting at 7pm over in Hollywood, the fourth event of the A New Infrastructure transit ideas competition will be held at GOOD, and feature a panel discussion with John Chase, West Hollywood Urban Designer; Simon Pastucha, LA Design Studio; James Rojas, METRO planner; Michael Lejeune, Metro Design Studio; Mike Feuer, California Assemblyman, 42nd District and Ming Fung, Graduate Director SCI-Arc, moderated by DnA associate producer Alissa Walker (that's me!). Afterwards, Rojas will lead one of his urban planning workshops which, if you've never been to one before, are serious fun. RSVP and more information here.
~Alissa Walker
Some architects and critics feel that the economic crash has brought a welcome end to what they see as an era of architecture of "excess," paving the way for a more enlightened and soulful architecture that serves social ends. Today, Architecture for Humanity's Cameron Sinclair, responsible for harnessing 40,000+ architects worldwide in designing for the world's poorest, made this case on Huffpost and I wrote this response. Hopefully, we'll take up this topic on a future DnA. And as Architecture for Humanity celebrates its tenth birthday, you can listen to him on this past DnA.
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